Yashar Tabrizi from Evin Prison: The Path to Iran's Dignity is 'Transition' from the Islamic Republic, Not 'Fake' Ballot Boxes

In the continuation of the election boycott campaign in Iran, Yashar Tabrizi, in a statement from Evin Prison, urged the people to stay home on the day of the upcoming elections of the Islamic Republic, to stamp a 'cancellation mark' on the record of a government that, according to him, was not their choice. Yashar Tabrizi, a political prisoner, stated in a message published by the admin on his Instagram and X accounts: 'We proudly remain in prison, and you, my compatriot, stay home for one day so that together we can stamp a cancellation mark on the record of a rejected government that was not our choice.' He said, 'The path to dignity, liberation, prosperity, and freedom of our homeland does not come from the fake ballot boxes of the Islamic Republic, but from the transition from its entirety.' Tabrizi considered 'the current situation' a 'threat to everyone' and called for 'not to sacrifice our individual and civic consciousness for the promises of the regime's lackeys and the slogans of its officials.' This constitutionalist political prisoner emphasized that 'the way to transition from this totalitarian regime is evident in practice,' adding: 'No nation has achieved its rights and goals in the transition from dictatorship to democracy without a national coalition and a clear alternative. Historical experience, achievements, and principles of the constitutional system, which has roots in the awakening and liberation movement of us Iranians from despotism, can form the basis for national unity, determining an alternative, and our charter.' According to Tabrizi, 'Constitutionalism during the transition guarantees the active and free presence of all civil institutions, political parties, and their effective roles,' and 'the true manifestation of the will and oversight of the people in determining their destiny and common demands.' He emphasized that the 'political future' and 'the form of management and government' after the Islamic Republic, whether it be a republic or a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, must be chosen by Iranians 'in free ballot boxes with their informed votes.' Previously, many political and civil figures had called for a boycott of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts elections, which the Islamic Republic is set to hold on March 2. Additionally, see: Calls for the boycott of the March 2 elections in Iran continue. The Goman polling institute has predicted that 77% of Iranian citizens will not participate in the upcoming elections. Ammar Maleki, the director of this institute, told Voice of America that reformist or principlist tendencies have not gained more favor with the government, and compared to previous polls, eight percent more have stated they will not participate in these elections.